A Staten Island, N.Y., man, whose wife died after he allegedly beat her for not splurging on cable, was abusive and made her life a 'living hell,' family told the New York Daily News Saturday.
Thomas Scala was freed without bail after being arrested Thursday for assault. He could face manslaughter charges in the death of Blanche Scala, 59, on Nov. 26, 2010.
"He's the devil," Scala's sister, Gloria Silletto told the News. "We're numb because we always knew he was no good."
The tragedy happened late last year after Scala visited her husband at Staten Island University Hospital on Thanksgiving Day, officials and the Post said.
After he returned home, he allegedly attacked her after he learned she did not pay extra for him to surf the cable networks while he was hospitalized.
He is accused of hitting her on the head and then soaking her arms in flammable liquid and lighting her on fire.
